Instagram Reels Can Now Be Downloaded! These Are The Terms And Limits

Instagram presents a feature for downloading Reels directly to the phone. (photo: dock. instagram)

JAKARTA - Instagram has finally presented a feature that many users have been waiting for for a long time: the ability to download Reels directly to the phone. However, don't get too excited, there are several important things to know. This feature is currently only available in the United States, and there is no certainty when it will be launched globally.

So far, downloading photos or videos from Instagram is officially almost impossible. Whether for copyright reasons or strategies for users to stay in the application, Instagram seems quite strict about this. But now, that attitude has changed at least for Reels.

Through an upload from the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, it is explained that this new feature has started rolling out to users in the US. To download, users simply press the Share icon on the desired Reels, then select the Download option. The downloaded video will be directly saved in the phone gallery.

But as usual, there are a number of accompanying restrictions. Reels from private accounts cannot be downloaded, and not all Reels from public accounts can also be downloaded. Instagram gives creators the freedom to determine whether they allow their content to be downloaded or not. In addition, all downloaded videos will be accompanied by watermarks in the form of the Instagram logo and the name of the creator account.

This feature is actually nothing new in the realm of social media. TikTok, as Instagram's main rival, has long offered a live video download feature from its app. This Instagram move could be an attempt to rival TikTok's dominance that excels in the distribution of short video content.

Not only that, the launch of the Reels download feature also comes along with the launch of a new video editing application from Instagram called Edits. This application is claimed to provide more sophisticated editing features than the default editor in the Instagram application. Interestingly, the Edits application has also been equipped with AI technology, giving users more flexibility in creating.

Some have speculated that Instagram may provide wider reach to edited videos using Edits, as a subtle way to encourage users to move from third-party apps such as CapCut to Meta's own ecosystem.

Although currently the new Reels download feature greets users in the United States, many are optimistic that users in other countries, including Indonesia, don't have to wait too long to enjoy this feature. Get ready, because the way you save and share content from Instagram will change completely!